Litton Das Credits Wicketkeeping for Test Century as Bangladesh Close in on Afghanistan Win
Bangladesh entered the final day of their one-off Test against Afghanistan in a commanding position, with Litton Das’s brisk century helping set the visitors a daunting target of 479. Yet Afghanistan showed plenty of resistance in Abu Dhabi, reaching 132 for 3 at stumps on day four and leaving the contest balanced between a Bangladesh victory and a determined fight for a draw.
Litton said his time behind the stumps has strengthened his batting by giving him a clearer sense of how the pitch and conditions are behaving. The wicketkeeper-batter’s view offers a useful insight into the value of combining roles in Test cricket: observing deliveries closely can help a batter judge pace, bounce and turn before taking guard.
Litton’s seventh Test hundred puts Bangladesh in control
Litton made 102 from 117 balls, striking 14 fours for his seventh Test century. He reached the milestone in 115 deliveries, producing an innings that gave Bangladesh momentum after the match had reached a crucial stage. His contribution was particularly notable given that he arrived in Abu Dhabi after recording three consecutive ducks. He had already responded with a half-century in Bangladesh’s first innings, and his second-innings hundred confirmed a strong return to form.
There were chances for Afghanistan to end Litton’s innings earlier. He was dropped on 14 and again on 26, then survived a run-out opportunity when he had scored 46. Bangladesh made the most of those missed openings, with Litton and Mehidy Hasan putting on 149 runs for the seventh wicket. Mehidy remained unbeaten on 52 as Bangladesh declared at 372 for 7, setting Afghanistan 479 to win.
Litton said wicketkeeping helps him collect information that can be difficult to assess from the batting crease alone. “Behind the wickets, I can understand a lot of things and get an idea about the pitch,” he explained, adding that the experience is useful when he bats. His comments underline how a keeper can read changes in the surface, track the bounce and notice whether the ball is gripping or coming on cleanly.
Bangladesh’s spin attack looks to exploit the rough
Bangladesh’s route to victory is likely to depend on whether their bowlers can make inroads on the final day. The pitch has not been especially spin-friendly so far, but Litton believes the surface could change as the match enters its fifth day. Rough patches created by the bowlers’ footmarks may offer the spinners a chance to find additional turn or uneven bounce.
He said Bangladesh’s spinners would need to maintain accurate lines and lengths, building pressure rather than relying on the pitch to do the work. If the ball begins to turn from the rough, disciplined bowling could make it increasingly difficult for Afghanistan’s batters to defend for long periods. That is the central cricket prediction heading into the final day: Bangladesh have the advantage, but their bowlers must earn the breakthrough by staying patient and targeting the right areas.
Afghanistan, meanwhile, need 347 more runs to reach their target. With seven wickets in hand, the visitors have a foundation to build on, but the size of the chase makes a draw the more realistic objective. Their immediate task is to protect wickets, bat through long spells and avoid giving Bangladesh a cluster of early breakthroughs.
Atal and Shahidi focus on batting time
Sediqullah Atal was unbeaten on 35 from 126 balls at stumps, while captain Hashmatullah Shahidi had made 19 not out from 27 deliveries. Atal said Afghanistan’s priority was to keep batting for as long as possible and take the game deep into the final session. Rather than chasing the target recklessly, the visitors are concentrating on sound decision-making and the basics required to secure a draw.
Atal also credited Rahmat Shah for helping him settle during their partnership. Rahmat’s experience and ability to assess bowlers gave the younger batter confidence at the other end. Atal said batting alongside him made it easier to understand the match situation and stay composed under pressure.
The pair added 82 runs from 214 balls, resisting Bangladesh’s attack after the visitors lost two early wickets. Ebadot Hossain struck in the opening over, removing Abdul Malik with a delivery that held its line and took the edge. Hasan Mahmud then dismissed Shahidullah, who had hit four boundaries, leaving Afghanistan at 28 for 2.
Rahmat eventually fell to Ebadot for 51 from 124 balls, but his innings was a significant part of Afghanistan’s recovery. He had earlier survived a straightforward chance at first slip on 16 and went on to achieve a rare milestone: becoming only the sixth batter in history to score both a century and a fifty on his captaincy debut.
Atal adjusts to the demands of Test cricket
Atal is better known for his white-ball performances, and he acknowledged that Test cricket demands a different kind of discipline. In the longest format, batters may have to resist the urge to attack and wait for scoring opportunities rather than trying to force the pace. That adjustment is especially challenging in Abu Dhabi’s heat, where concentration and physical endurance are tested over long periods.
Atal said this match has been a valuable learning experience as he works towards becoming an all-format player. He described controlling his shot selection and managing his attacking instincts as among the hardest parts of batting in Tests. Unlike in shorter formats, a batter cannot expect a steady supply of deliveries suited to scoring quickly; patience and time at the crease are essential.
Those lessons will be vital on the final day. Afghanistan’s batters must continue to judge each ball carefully, while Bangladesh will look to use fresh spells, accurate bowling and any assistance from the rough to break the resistance. Litton’s innings has put Bangladesh firmly in front, but Atal and Shahidi have given Afghanistan a platform. The outcome will depend on whether the visitors can sustain their defensive effort—or whether Bangladesh’s bowlers can turn their strong position into a decisive win.
